Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Mom In Tears After Realizing Woman Who Took Photo With Daughter Is Original Ariel Jodi Benson

Screenshots from TikTok
jaylabrenae5/TikTok

TikToker @jaylabrenae5 was stunned after the 'Little Mermaid' voice actress wanted a picture with her young daughter.

A mom on TikTok was reduced to tears after realizing one of her lifelong dreams—to meet her childhood hero.

As part of her work as an influencer, TikToker Jaylabrenae, known as @jaylabrenae5 on the app, got to attend to the star-studded premiere of the new live-action remake of the Disney classic The Little Mermaid. Along with her, she brought her adorable plus-one, her toddler daughter.


During one of the many events they attended, Jaylabrenae and her little girl were approached by a woman who wanted a photo with them. It turned out to be none other than the original Little Mermaid herself, voice actress Jodi Benson.

And Jaylabrenae absolutely lost it in the most moving way possible.

See the big moment below.

@jaylabrenae5

I LITERALLY CANNOT STILL I AM CRYING ALL OVER AGAIN💕🌊 #thelittlemermaid #jodibenson #littlemermaid #ariel #disney #dreamcometrue #emotional

Benson originated the role of Ariel in the Disney animated 1989 version of The Little Mermaid.

The new live-action version features actress Halle Bailey in the role, who herself has said that Benson was among her biggest inspirations while making the film.

Suffice to say, she's an inspiration to Jaylabrenae as well--she couldn't help but burst into tears when she realized it was Benson who wanted a photo of her and her little girl. In her TikTok's caption, she wrote that she "literally cannot" and was "crying all over again."

Meeting Benson was only one part of Jaylabrenae and her daughter's trip to the premiere, which was sponsored by hydration company Liquid I.V. As she showed in another video, she and her daughter got to walk the "blue carpet" and attend all kinds of celebrations kicking off the film, which debuts in theaters on May 26.

@jaylabrenae5

While Ariel's legs were made for dancing, ours are made to walk the blue carpet thanks to @liquidiv! What an unforgettable experience to see Disney's #TheLittleMermaid at their World Premiere! All props to Liquid I.V. to keeping everyone hydrated with their mocktails made with their Hydration Multiplier that tasted AMAZINGGG! This movie is an absolute must see and Liquid I.V. is a must buy! Bring it with you to the theater May 26th! 💙🧜🏾‍♀️

But meeting Benson and Bailey was definitely among the highlights, as Jaylabrenae shared in another TikTok follow-up.

@jaylabrenae5

Replying to @jrenee5964 i think this cry is valid🥹 in all seriousness I am truly grateful for these once in a lifetime experiences. We are so blessed and im forever thankful for this life #whyIcried #whyicriedtoday #thelittlemermaid

In the video, she tearfully shared:

"My daughter got to walk the blue carpet today at two years old. Halle Bailey waved at her... I understand how blessed I am and I would never, ever take it for granted."

People on TikTok were definitely feeling for Jaylabrenae and her daughter.

They were deeply moved by their Little Mermaid experience.

@iamkiarajanay/TikTok

@cicelydyson/TikTok

@lovearielita/TikTok

@izthebee/TikTok

@miss_arrobinson/TikTok

@buschmomma/TikTok

@flourishing_fancy/TikTok

@ard9092/TikTok

@marlanight/TikTok

Even Halle Bailey herself was in tears over Jaylabrenae's big moment.


@hallebailey/TikTok

The Little Mermaid opens May 26.

While we can't promise your experience will be as amazing as Jaylabrenae and her daughter's, it's shaping up to be one heck of a blockbuster.

More from Entertainment/celebrities

Robert De Niro
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Robert De Niro's Daughter Publicly Comes Out As Trans In Powerful New Interview

Airyn De Niro, 29, daughter of actor Robert De Niro, has publicly come out as a trans woman in a new interview with Them.

Though parts of her journey have been previously reported, Airyn says this is the first time she’s truly felt “seen.”

Keep Reading Show less
Howard Lutnick
MSNBC

Commerce Secretary Ripped For His Dystopian Vision Of Generations Of Families Working At U.S. Factories

MAGA Republican President Donald Trump's Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, spoke on MSNBC about the Trump administration's version of the American dream.

It doesn't involve universal healthcare, a living wage, and access to food and housing.

Keep Reading Show less
Pete Hegseth
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Hegseth Gets Hit With Awkward Fact-Check After Bragging About Ending 'Woke' Program

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was swiftly fact-checked after he claimed in a post on X that he'd ended the "woke" Women, Peace & Security (WPS) program because it was an initiative created by the Biden administration.

For the political right, "wokeness" or "wokeism" generally refers to a left-leaning perspective that acknowledges the widespread existence of racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination in American society.

Keep Reading Show less
Donald Trump; Taylor Swift
Alex Wong/Getty Images; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Trump Made A Petty Dig At Taylor Swift During The Eagles' White House Visit—Because Of Course

President Donald Trump was called out after he made a petty dig at pop star Taylor Swift during his speech for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' visit to the White House.

In a brief speech, Trump acknowledged the Eagles' 40–22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs was “a little surprising,” a remark that appeared to reference the Chiefs' consecutive Super Bowl victories in 2023 and 2024. He then shifted focus to Swift, getting in a petty swipe drawing attention to Swift's presence at the game to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, play tight end for the losing team.

Keep Reading Show less

Medical Professionals Break Down The Scariest Mental Health Conditions They've Seen

Being in healthcare is not an easy journey.

I know so many people who work in so many different areas of the healthcare system, and they are constantly stressed out.

Keep Reading Show less